etk401

Thank you all so much for the information, it has helped ease my mind so much!

socialworker

So nice to hear! Please come back and tell us how it all went.

There was a great thread a while back on college visits and many of us have been on these trips. They are somewhat stressful by nature, but they can be such great experiences!

I have graduate degrees from BC---which is, of course, a very different kind of educational experience, but my son went to Tufts for undergrad and he loved it.

PeaceOut

Definitely don't try to drive in Boston. It is a hair-raising experience for the uninitiated! We were there recently, being new to Boston. We could not ditch our car fast enough! It's crazy on those streets.

The T system is awesome. You will be fine using it. And/or a cab, if needed.

bachslunch

I'm one of the Summer Shack naysayers gail's talking about on this forum. To be fair, I haven't tried their fried chicken, but in several visits (dragged there by family, otherwise I wouldn't have returned) I have yet to encounter quality food there (including but not limited to seafood, sides, corn dogs, Indian pudding) and paid a lot of moolah for the privilege -- and the noise factor here is no prize, either. My experience suggests one can get both a much better bang for the buck and notably better food at Neptune Oyster, B&G Oysters, Kingfish Hall, or Dolphin Seafood, for four. Should I experience otherwise at Summer Shack, I'll be the first to report it publicly,

While not in full agreement with hawksbill here on his/her assessment of Bostonians, I will agree that one is more likely to encounter, let's say, people who are clannish and less open and friendly to strangers in New England than in other parts of the US. Add that to the comparative caution that can come from residents in any big city to strangers, and that can compound things. And drivers in Boston and the surrounding area are the worst I've ever encountered in the country, on a par with places like Rome -- the combination of driver aggressiveness and incompetence displayed can be breathtaking. And it's not helped any by such things as poor signage, confusing street layouts, and roads that seem to go one way the wrong way just at the worst possible time.

PeaceOut

From the Marriott at Copley, if you have time, be sure to walk on Newbury Street (www.newbury-st.com/) to window shop and/or dine. Everything from Marshall's and H&M to high-end designer stores.

I also love to walk the more quiet parkway, which runs parallel to Newbury, the Commonwealth Avenue. It is a gorgeous tree-lined park, with lovely townhomes on both sides. My fav.

aliska

This may be too late to arrange, but DD (who just graduated from Brandeis in Waltham) really benefited from an overnight stay at the college when she visited. This was arranged in advance of our Boston trip. She got to eat in the cafeteria, sleep in a dorm room, meet a lot of kids and it really sold her on the school.

You have received a lot of very good advice. As far as restaurants, we always loved going to the North End, but we are from the Midwest (not real authentic Italian) and it was a huge treat for us. We are fans of Antico Forno, as the kids adored their "white" artichoke and garlic pizza, and we always got seafood. Of course you have to leave room for dessert - Mike's Pastry or the Victoria bakery, we always ordered different things and shared them. We also endorse Legal Seafoods, they have many outlets in the Boston area and the seafood is always fresh, well prepared and reasonable for what it is.

Another piece of advice, if you think DS will end up in Boston, don't run around so much that you wear yourselves out trying to see everything. Over 4 years of visiting, we managed always to find new things to do. Good Luck!

Standinginafield

This is an exciting post.
I, myself, contacted some professors after I was told I should, for my admissions introduction. (*this, before reading later in the website NOT to contact professors because they are busy)Anyway, one of the graduate-level professors contacted me about possible research. I'm so thrilled. Any positive back and forth on an email with a Boston University/College/Location of Higher ed is making me think I might have a shot at pre-PhD research in Boston. (I'm trying not be excited....)
This post is right up my alley. Thanks for sharing and inquiring. ~SIAF

PeaceOut

Good luck, SIAF. I hope you get it.

etk401

I just wanted to thank you all for your help, with planning our Boston trip. To start, we enjoyed Amtrak from Newark Penn to Back Bay. No problems at all. Copley Marriott was as expected. Awoke Thursday morning to terrible weather, which lasted till Friday afternoon as we were heading home. We did tour 3 of the 4 planned schools, BC, BU, and Northeastern. The last being the one he enjoyed the most. It was a nice start to a new adventure. I am disappointed to say we did not enjoy Boston as much as we could have due to the weather, so we will plan another trip soon.

Thanks All

yk

etk401, thanks for reporting back. I'm glad you made the most out of your trip despite the weather.

jubilada

etk: weather is one thing to consider in choosing where to spend 4 years, so in a way it is good to have reality check.